Help for Sevenoaks people claiming Universal Credit
People in Sevenoaks who are struggling to successfully claim Universal Credit can get a much needed helping hand by contacting Help To Claim, a free, independent and impartial telephone line run by Citizens Advice in North & West Kent.
Many people find claiming Universal Credit online difficult because of a range of issues such as lack of computer skills, no or limited access to the internet, health problems or they may be in a vulnerable group.
Fully trained Help to Claim advisers can support people through the early stages of a Universal Credit claim from applying for the financial benefit to receiving their first payment.
Claim advisers can receive dozens of calls during any given week from people who are frustrated that they cannot get through to the main claims line at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and they are not able to make their claims digitally.
Nick Ralph, Help to Claim Manager for North & West Kent said: “Thanks to the support of DWP, our advisers have exclusive access to a Universal Credit telephone line for people who cannot apply online. This means we can bypass the general helpline and make it easier for someone to make a Universal Credit claim. Without this number so many of our clients would have struggled to make a claim and maybe given up all together.
“Many people who call us really need our help, particularly in these challenging times. We get calls from older people with disabilities, people who have just come out of prison as well as the self-employed, those who have been furloughed and many others.
“This is a vital service and we encourage people to give us a call so we can make their applications easier and likely to get a quicker result.”
If you think you need help, then call 0800 144 8444 for advice and support.
If you do have internet access, go to the Citizens Advice home page to access the Webchat facility.
Citizens Advice Sevenoaks are delighted to be one of the Co-ops local good causes until October 2020. To get involved please go to https://membership.coop.co.uk/causes/35822
